Better ride

[Jack Horn]

Old retired guy here; searched forum for info (I suck at all things IT and don't care) and couldn't find much so posting question.  Buying our last HD towing truck; 2023 2500 Silverado High Country and it will tow 12,000 lb 5th wheel camper.  Asking for opinions/info regarding taming the empty ride short of the Kelderman air suspension; nearly $10K and about twice what my retired budget after buying the truck will allow.  

 

Thanks for any and all suggestions/opinions.

Jack

 

OBTW; got some good suggestions from Another JR

[typhoon186]

Guess my question would be: if you would like a smoother ride, do you really need a 2500 to pull 12,500 lb instead of a 1500 with the 6.2??

[newdude]

12 hours ago, Jack Horn said:

Old retired guy here; searched forum for info (I suck at all things IT and don't care) and couldn't find much so posting question.  Buying our last HD towing truck; 2023 2500 Silverado High Country and it will tow 12,000 lb 5th wheel camper.  Asking for opinions/info regarding taming the empty ride short of the Kelderman air suspension; nearly $10K and about twice what my retired budget after buying the truck will allow.  

 

Thanks for any and all suggestions/opinions.

Jack

 

OBTW; got some good suggestions from Another JR

 

 

Free method would be when not towing, air down to 55-60psi all the way around on your tires.  

 

 

1 hour ago, typhoon186 said:

Guess my question would be: if you would like a smoother ride, do you really need a 2500 to pull 12,500 lb instead of a 1500 with the 6.2??

 

 
Because a 6.2 1/2 ton isn't rated to tow 12,500lbs in a 5th wheel configuration as OP is looking for.  8300lbs max on a 6.2 crew cab short box and 9400lbs on a crew short 6.2 for 5th wheel.  At 12,000lbs of trailer, the platform you are using is much more important than the empty ride.

Edited November 12, 2023 by newdude

[typhoon186]

9 hours ago, newdude said:

 

 

Free method would be when not towing, air down to 55-60psi all the way around on your tires.  

 

 

 

 
Because a 6.2 1/2 ton isn't rated to tow 12,500lbs in a 5th wheel configuration as OP is looking for.  8300lbs max on a 6.2 crew cab short box and 9400lbs on a crew short 6.2 for 5th wheel.  At 12,000lbs of trailer, the platform you are using is much more important than the empty ride.

got ya.  didn't know that limitation on the 5th wheel  Thanks  Makes sense now that I think about the weight load aspect

Edited November 12, 2023 by typhoon186

[AJMBLAZER]

You might ask over on the HD forum on this site.  That's where this question should be and where owners of other HD trucks are.

 

2020-2024 Silverado HD & Sierra HD - GM-Trucks.com

[redwngr]

I always aired down my 2500's when running around empty. Especially the rears.

Empty, the rear axle load is lower than the front axle load. 

 

Of course the front/rear ratio depends on long bed/standard bed and which cab the truck has. 

 

 

Only do this if you're sure you'll remember to air them back up for towing or payload. 

 

You could weigh the front and rear axles and then go to a inflation pressure VS load chart for the tires it's equipped with.  Door post recommended tie pressures are for when the vehicle is at max rated vehicle loads. If you've got scale weights, the chart can give you pressures for the loads you are running.

Edited November 12, 2023 by redwngr